BOTTLE

This is a cuboid bottle from her time in the art department, and based on the style, it is estimated to be a work from around 1967 to 1970.
Blue, green, and black glazes are boldly intertwined on a textured, uneven surface with a rich, earthy feel.
*It is in good condition with no noticeable damage.

ANNIKKI HOVISAARI｜1918–2004｜FINLAND

Annikki Hovisaari was a Finnish female ceramic artist and designer. She majored in ceramics at the Central School of Arts and Crafts.

After graduating in 1949, she was assigned to ARABIA's applied art department, led by Olga Osol, where she was primarily engaged in designing and painting tableware.

Alongside this, she continued her artistic activities, creating one-of-a-kind pieces on the potter's wheel.

In 1962, she received first prize in an international competition held in Italy, which led to her becoming an artist in ARABIA's art department in 1963, where she worked until 1975.

In the art department, she left behind many works that strongly convey the texture of clay, such as coarse chamotte.

ARABIA｜1873 –｜FINLAND

Arabia was established in 1873 as a subsidiary of the Swedish ceramics manufacturer Rörstrand in the Arabia district on the outskirts of Helsinki, and began operations the following year in 1874. In 1916, it separated from Rörstrand's capital and became an independent Finnish company.

In 1929, a tunnel kiln, one of the largest in the world at 112 meters long, was introduced, leading to increased production efficiency and the establishment of a mass production system. This allowed Arabia to develop into one of Europe's leading ceramics factories.

In 1932, Kurt Ekholm was appointed art director, and he organized Arabia's artistic activities into an art department. He created a production environment for artists and established a system that allowed for the parallel development of products and art pieces.

A major characteristic of Arabia is that product development has been carried out through the interaction of three fields: the art department, the applied art department, and the product design department.

Toini Muona, Friedl Kjellberg, Michael Schilkin, Birger Kaipiainen, Rut Bryk, and Kyllikki Salmenhaara participated in the art department. Their works gained international recognition from the 1930s onwards, contributing to Arabia's cultural aspect and playing an important role in the development of Finnish ceramics.

In the 1940s, Friedl Kjellberg developed Rice Porcelain using the "hotarude" (firefly-hand) technique. Mass production began in 1950 and continued as a long-selling product until 1974, earning international acclaim as Arabia's代表的な art porcelain.

Against the backdrop of functionalism spreading in Northern Europe in the 1930s, Ekholm launched the AR series (SINIVALKO) tableware in 1935, setting the direction for later Nordic modern design.

In 1945, Kaj Franck joined the company as a designer, and along with Kaarina Aho and Ulla Procopé, he spearheaded the renewal of product design. The Kilta series, launched in 1953, achieved great success as innovative modern design tableware characterized by its simple geometric forms and versatility.

Arabia boasts numerous awards since the 1930s, but especially at the Milan Triennale in the 1950s (1951, 1954, 1957), many products by designers, in addition to works by artists from the art department, received awards, establishing its global reputation.